Another Repeat Lesson: Try

rogersgeorge on November 30th, 2018

(n.b.: When you say “another repeat,” you’re implying the existence of at least three of whatever you’re talking about, the original, the repeat, and the another.) Anyway, I’m sure I mentioned this solecism in the past, but I can’t find a single post about it. So maybe I need to, um, repeat the lesson!

Don’t say, “try and [do something]”
Say “try to [do the something].”

Here are a couple comics. One gets it right and one gets it wrong.

Pearls Before Swine Comic Strip for September 26, 2018 — https://www.gocomics.com/pearlsbeforeswine/2018/09/26

Rabbits Against Magic Comic Strip for September 26, 2018 — https://www.gocomics.com/rabbitsagainstmagic/2018/09/26

Maybe the rabbit needs better grammar more than he needs a shower!

Try to google n.b. if you don’t know what it means.

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Rogers George has been a technical writer for more than 20 years. He has written on subjects as diverse as outhouse assembly, restaurant reviews, software, information security, and scientific equipment. He has his own writing consultancy and is always happy to discuss writing and grammar. Drop him a line at curmudgeon@writing-rag.com.

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